The Ministry of Finance says a review of the PSEMAS tariff, which has become a bone of contention with Health Care Service Providers, will only be possible upon completion of on-going structural reforms of the scheme.
The announcement by the ministry comes as the Namibia Dental Association has announced that its members will cease offering services to PSEMAS members at the current tariff, demanding an upward review.
“While fully cognizant of the need to have the PSEMAS tariffs increased, we have informed the Association and other Health Care Service Providers of the on-going PSEMAS Structural Reform that is aimed at restructuring the scheme to achieve internal cost savings and alternative modes of service provision and that the issue of tariffs is part of the reform,” the Finance ministry said.
“We would like to reiterate that the Ministry of Finance takes the issues raised by the Association as serious, thus is working determinedly to ensure that the PSEMAS reform is delivered within the set time frames.”
According to the Finance ministry, consultants led by Dr Johann Van Zyl, who were appointed to provide actuarial and technical services, are expected to report back by the end of December.
The PSEMAS in the Mid-Year Budget Review, was allocated an additional N$230 million, consisting of N$200 million for funding shortfalls because of increased claims due to the third wave of COVID-19 and N$30 million for subscription fees.
